HealthAugust 22, 2026

comorbidities

kohm-or-BID-ih-teez

Definition

The simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions or diseases in the same patient.

Etymology

The word is a modern medical compound formed from the prefix 'co-' (together) and 'morbidity' (the condition of being diseased). It was coined in the 1970s to describe the clinical reality of patients suffering from multiple overlapping illnesses.

In the news

Health officials mentioned comorbidities to warn that vulnerable individuals with pre-existing health conditions should remain cautious despite the mild nature of recent COVID-19 cases. It highlights why certain groups are at higher risk for severe health outcomes.

Baguio records 125 mild COVID‑19 cases, no deaths

Read the full article ↗

Manila Bulletin

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